Your First Three Missions

Hold it, hot shot! If you haven't checked out our Starter Guide, be sure to read it before continuing!

The in-game tutorial for Defiance is helpful, but it doesn’t tell you nearly everything you’ll need to learn the basics of combat and exploration. To assist in that, we’ve constructed this handy walk-through of the first three Missions you’re likely to encounter in Defiance. All of this material is based on pre-release scenarios and subject to change, but it’s likely the fundamentals of these missions and the best methods of approaching them will remain consistent between versions.

The in-game tutorial for Defiance is helpful, but it doesn’t tell you nearly everything you’ll need to learn the basics of combat and exploration. To assist in that, we’ve constructed this handy walk-through of the first three Missions you’re likely to encounter in Defiance. All of this material is based on pre-release scenarios and subject to change, but it’s likely the fundamentals of these missions and the best methods of approaching them will remain consistent between versions.

Chaos Reigns

After completing the tutorial, you’ll be dropped near Mount Tam. Your EGO representation will be waiting for you. The exclamation mark above her head indicates that she has a Main Mission for you.

Talk with her and she’ll ask you to accept your first real quest, Chaos Reigns. You’ll be tasked with finding your patron, Karl Von Bach.

Your first goal will be to reach a nearby evacuation pod. On the way you may encounter small Hellbugs or Mutants. Equip your primary weapon, and use your right mouse button to take careful aim before firing. In most cases, controlled short bursts will serve you better than long streams of fire.

When you reach the pod, you’ll find it empty. Move ahead toward the vast open valley. You’ll come across friendly forces pinned down by hostiles. Feel free to engage any enemies you see, but be careful not to completely deplete your ammunition stores.

You’ll be following your EGO unit’s waypoints on your HUD to four separate GPS units. Each unit is attached near a dead body, but none of them are Von Bach. As you search, try to keep cover between you and Mutant gunners. If you’re taking too much fire, pick a few off and proceed more cautiously. Also note that while running with the SHIFT key, you can make an evasive roll with the ALT key. Defiance is more of a run and gun shooter than a cover-based shooter, so this maneuver can often serve you well.

You may encounter friendly players along the way, marked with a Purple dot on your Map. Feel free to coordinate fire with them.

After finding all of the bodies, you’ll be summoned to a nearby military headquarters. Von Bach will have to wait. Follow your EGO’s lead.

Sniper’s Ridge

You’ll encounter an officer and Cass Ducar in the tent. There, you’ll learn that a force of Mutant snipers has seized control of nearby heights. It’s up to you to take them down.

Outside the tent are Supply Depots. DO NOT waste any of your Scrip on new Vehicles, Weapons, or ammunition at this time. Your first few missions will reward you with plenty of new weapons, and there is a free ammunition locker near the camp where you can replenish your magazines. Also ignore the Lockbox. You won’t need to fool with that for a while yet.

You don’t have access to a vehicle yet, so run toward the waypoint your EGO provides. When you see Sniper Ridge, advance up toward the left side of the wall atop the cliff, moving carefully until you are flush against it. If you avoid firing during your approach, you may escape detection, allowing you to get underneath the snipers’ long range guns.

Once flush against the wall, you have a choice. You can try to engage the snipers with precision fire where they are poking their heads over the wall, you can toss Grenades at them, or you can sneak around the right side of the wall and take them enfilade. The last tactic works very well with Decoy or Cloak.

Remember that if things get too hot, you can always run away, get behind something, and wait for your Shield to recharge. Enemies will follow, but at this stage in the game they only approach one or two at a time, and you can easily pick them off as they try to rush you.

Once you’ve cleared the upper wall, advance across the plaza. Three stacks of ammunition are marked for destruction on your map. Walk to each and activate the charges by holding “E.”

You’ll encounter a huge blue mutant with a Grenade launcher. Utilize your EGO Powers to your fullest advantage. If you have Blur use your speed to dodge and fire. With Cloak, sneak into cover and take head shots, then quickly duck away. If you use Decoy, distract him and use the time to get in free hits. If you utilize Overcharge, just keep shooting.

Whatever your EGO Power, do not stay in one place for too long a time. Move from cover to cover, ever wary of the slow moving but high-explosive grenades. Don’t get close to the big Mutant. wear him down from long range where you have room to dodge his shots. Felling him nets you a victory. Return to camp for a reward and a new Mission.

Raid the Medicine Cabinet

Starting again from the military camp, you now have access to an ATV. Summon it with the “V” key, and use it to find the embattled e-rep medics. Don't just ride into the middle of the melee. When you get close, dismount and approach on foot.

The Mutants attacking the medics aren’t too tough, but within the piles of boxes and vehicles they can flank you if you are not careful. Make use of the terrain to avoid getting surrounded.

Once you’ve cleared the Mutants out, hop onto your ATV and follow you EGO’s lead to the bridge. After engaging Mutants at a roadblock near the span’s middle, your EGO will inform you that the bridge’s supports are rigged with explosives. Dive into the water and disarm them with the “E” key.

Finding a place where the shore is level enough to exit the river is a bit tricky, and you may find it necessary to circle around to return to the bridge.

Move cautiously, and use your EGO and Map to aid in navigation. When you reach the bridge again, your EGO will direct you to meet a group of medics on at a nearby building.

The area will be crawling with Mutants. Refill your ammunition and then approach the ruins. Three caches of medical supplies are scattered around the area. Find each and gather them by holding the “E” key.

Move carefully, mindful of explosive barrels. When you reach the roof, activate the flare.

Helicopters will appear, spewing mutants. You’ll want to take up position behind at least some cover, near a wall corner if possible. Some mutants will charge right at you. Kill these first, then turn your attention to Mutant Riflemen. They’ll stop coming soon enough.

With these three Missions complete, you have now likely earned some EGO Points to apply toward a Perk or two, as well as a basic Vehicle and an expanded arsenal of Weapons. You are now well on your way to being ready to take on the world of Defiance.